Not hard, but he needs to be in an EU country first. Those are the standard rules for asylum, and no one is going to break the rules for him due to the diplomatic ramifications. Any of the Scandivian countries except Sweden should be fine, so should the Netherlands and Germany.

Poor Snowden, took the Russian money and now can't leave. As Corleone said: Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.

Why do people keep repeating this? He never wanted to stay in Russia! The USA trapped him there by cancelling his passport.

If we are to assume that Snowden is not in fact a complete idiot by unwittingly flying into Russia carrying stolen top secret data...well, we must call a spade a spade. Perhaps he should take a leaf from the RT reporter who denounced the Kremlin live on television and resigned the other day. It would give him some credibility. Of course, he will not do that, as he's under Putin's protection.

Poor Snowden, took the Russian money and now can't leave. As Corleone said: Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.

Why do people keep repeating this? He never wanted to stay in Russia! The USA trapped him there by cancelling his passport.

If we are to assume that Snowden is not in fact a complete idiot by unwittingly flying into Russia carrying stolen top secret data...well, we must call a spade a spade. Perhaps he should take a leaf from the RT reporter who denounced the Kremlin live on television and resigned the other day. It would give him some credibility. Of course, he will not do that, as he's under Putin's protection.

It was in the media months ago that when Snowden arrived in Russia, he had already relieved himself of the documents. This was said to refute claims from the "omg traitor" camp that he was selling off the data to the Kremlin. It was a wise move, because if he still had full unfettered access to the entire trove, he would be a marked man for what he has access to, and not just for what he has done.

He's a figurehead/symbol now, and the journalists that he trusted with the data will dictate the flow of information. It's out of his hands now.

I have to wonder if there really is a World War looming (although I doubt it right now), that it'll be because of Snowden and the current conflict in Ukraine.

It sounds like the EU wants asylum for Snowden so they can get more information from him (which the US and maybe even Britain would not want). And since he's stuck in Russia, what if Putin used him as leverage/ransom basically, so that they can take control over Ukraine?

The kicker being Snowden getting assassinated after the deal going through and a terrorist group, Al-qeada or whomever, pick your poison, managing to get to him first and then misinformation places the blame of his death on the US.

Of course he does. Russian is giving him protection, but for how long, never mind the deteriorating situation there. He's in a bind all the way around and it's doubtful he'll get out of it until such time we get a President willing to grant him a pardon, which is this political climate probably won't be for a few more decades at best. I do think he'll gain safe access to the EU before the US, but it's all still too raw to happen in immediate or near future.

Of course he does. Russian is giving him protection, but for how long, never mind the deteriorating situation there. He's in a bind all the way around and it's doubtful he'll get out of it until such time we get a President willing to grant him a pardon, which is this political climate probably won't be for a few more decades at best. I do think he'll gain safe access to the EU before the US, but it's all still too raw to happen in immediate or near future.

He will have protection just as long as he is useful to them. After that, they might toss him to side, in Putin fashion.

“If we really want to get the truth on the table, there’s only one way that we can do this, and that’s granting Snowden protection in an EU state, protecting him from prosecution or from extradition,” Jan-Phillip Albrecht, Member of European Parliament (MEP) from Germany, told Ars.

why? the documents are out there and content of which trickling out on a regular basis. Snowden himself has no value in getting at the "truth" when whatever he says will have to be corroborated by these documents.

Nah, EU asylum is a ploy to "save" Snowden from accountability of his criminal ways. A way to "reward" him if you will because he can speak about the "truth" from his confines in Russia protected by his Crimea grabbing benefactor, Putin.

I disagree with the argument that if we really want the truth that he should be granted asylum. Much more truth would come from the most spectated trial in the history of the world. One could only imagine the legal community involved. There is nothing more to be told by Edward Snowden on the lam. There might be a path to actual answers and culpability if another path was taken.

I believe Edward Snowden did what he did knowing that it was risky and potentially had some very severe and serious consequences. If people collectively do not think he broke the law or the ends justified the means lets get that all out on the table. Let us rectify this if something is wrong. Absolutely nothing substantial has happened to date even with all the documents that have been released. There has been some posturing in response but nothing else, and nothing else will happen. Certainly nothing will be established or changed into regards to what Snowden did if he just gets asylum.

People might think I am being flippant with another person's life and freedom but I am not. Like I said he knows what he did was extremely risky and potentially faced extreme consequences. I am neither of the mind of string him up for treason nor am I of the mind, he gave out some infotmation on others doing bad things so he should be given a golden Pegasus.

At this point I think some of the people in charge in the US want him to stay away. Things get really messy if he gets extradited. Much simpler and easier to brush things aside without anything of further purpose.

Everyone wants the information he has. The EU want it for their own purposes which may not be what is openly discussed. Under the circumstances, I think I trust the Russians more than just about anyone else (but that's not really saying much).

I disagree with the argument that if we really want the truth that he should be granted asylum. Much more truth would come from the most spectated trial in the history of the world. One could only imagine the legal community involved. There is nothing more to be told by Edward Snowden on the lam. There might be a path to actual answers and culpability if another path was taken.

Any trial of Edward Snowden occurring in the US would end up happening behind closed doors with all evidence classified, and Snowden not permitted to put up a defense, as it would be stated to reveal additional classified information, and be ruled inadmissible by a judge.

I disagree with the argument that if we really want the truth that he should be granted asylum. Much more truth would come from the most spectated trial in the history of the world. One could only imagine the legal community involved. There is nothing more to be told by Edward Snowden on the lam. There might be a path to actual answers and culpability if another path was taken.

Any trial of Edward Snowden occurring in the US would end up happening behind closed doors with all evidence classified, and Snowden not permitted to put up a defense, as it would be stated to reveal additional classified information, and be ruled inadmissible by a judge.

I disagree with the argument that if we really want the truth that he should be granted asylum. Much more truth would come from the most spectated trial in the history of the world. One could only imagine the legal community involved. There is nothing more to be told by Edward Snowden on the lam. There might be a path to actual answers and culpability if another path was taken.

I believe Edward Snowden did what he did knowing that it was risky and potentially had some very severe and serious consequences. If people collectively do not think he broke the law or the ends justified the means lets get that all out on the table. Let us rectify this if something is wrong. Absolutely nothing substantial has happened to date even with all the documents that have been released. There has been some posturing in response but nothing else, and nothing else will happen. Certainly nothing will be established or changed into regards to what Snowden did if he just gets asylum.

People might think I am being flippant with another person's life and freedom but I am not. Like I said he knows what he did was extremely risky and potentially faced extreme consequences. I am neither of the mind of string him up for treason nor am I of the mind, he gave out some infotmation on others doing bad things so he should be given a golden Pegasus.

At this point I think some of the people in charge in the US want him to stay away. Things get really messy if he gets extradited. Much simpler and easier to brush things aside without anything of further purpose.

But whatever I am going to go play PS4

One substantial thing has happened. The American People are now aware of at least some of the stuff that is going on. Prior to this it was just hearsay and rumor.

Poor Snowden, took the Russian money and now can't leave. As Corleone said: Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.

Why do people keep repeating this? He never wanted to stay in Russia! The USA trapped him there by cancelling his passport.

If we are to assume that Snowden is not in fact a complete idiot by unwittingly flying into Russia carrying stolen top secret data...well, we must call a spade a spade. Perhaps he should take a leaf from the RT reporter who denounced the Kremlin live on television and resigned the other day. It would give him some credibility. Of course, he will not do that, as he's under Putin's protection.

Snowden didn't take any data into Russia with him. All the documents were left with Glenn Greewald and Laura Poitras when he met with them in Hong Kong

I disagree with the argument that if we really want the truth that he should be granted asylum. Much more truth would come from the most spectated trial in the history of the world. One could only imagine the legal community involved. There is nothing more to be told by Edward Snowden on the lam. There might be a path to actual answers and culpability if another path was taken.

Any trial of Edward Snowden occurring in the US would end up happening behind closed doors with all evidence classified, and Snowden not permitted to put up a defense, as it would be stated to reveal additional classified information, and be ruled inadmissible by a judge.

but it would still be a fair trial so what your point

Seriously? How is it a fair trial if Snowden is not permitted to put up a defense?

I disagree with the argument that if we really want the truth that he should be granted asylum. Much more truth would come from the most spectated trial in the history of the world. One could only imagine the legal community involved. There is nothing more to be told by Edward Snowden on the lam. There might be a path to actual answers and culpability if another path was taken.

Any trial of Edward Snowden occurring in the US would end up happening behind closed doors with all evidence classified, and Snowden not permitted to put up a defense, as it would be stated to reveal additional classified information, and be ruled inadmissible by a judge.

but it would still be a fair trial so what your point

Seriously? How is it a fair trial if Snowden is not permitted to put up a defense?

because what he did is indefensible

EDIT: he'll be allowed a defense, though some he can't. that is usually how it is, even for other crimes. for example, not everyone is allowed the "stand your ground" defense.

“If we really want to get the truth on the table, there’s only one way that we can do this, and that’s granting Snowden protection in an EU state, protecting him from prosecution or from extradition,” Jan-Phillip Albrecht, Member of European Parliament (MEP) from Germany, told Ars.

why? the documents are out there and content of which trickling out on a regular basis. Snowden himself has no value in getting at the "truth" when whatever he says will have to be corroborated by these documents.

Nah, EU asylum is a ploy to "save" Snowden from accountability of his criminal ways. A way to "reward" him if you will because he can speak about the "truth" from his confines in Russia protected by his Crimea grabbing benefactor, Putin.

The number of people that think like this is shocking, especially to find it on Ars.

America looks to be turning into a borderline police state, and a disturbingly high percentage of the populace seem fine with it.

“If we really want to get the truth on the table, there’s only one way that we can do this, and that’s granting Snowden protection in an EU state, protecting him from prosecution or from extradition,” Jan-Phillip Albrecht, Member of European Parliament (MEP) from Germany, told Ars.

why? the documents are out there and content of which trickling out on a regular basis. Snowden himself has no value in getting at the "truth" when whatever he says will have to be corroborated by these documents.

Nah, EU asylum is a ploy to "save" Snowden from accountability of his criminal ways. A way to "reward" him if you will because he can speak about the "truth" from his confines in Russia protected by his Crimea grabbing benefactor, Putin.

The number of people that think like this is shocking, especially to find it on Ars.

America looks to be turning into a borderline police state, and a disturbingly high percentage of the populace seem fine with it.

I don't think so. Nothing of what has been revealed point to "police state".

I don't think so. Nothing of what has been revealed point to "police state".

Widespread surveillance of civilian infrastructure, passing information on crimes to agencies such as the DEA and security agencies lying to and overruling the governing body in decisions regarding the reach of their power.

Poor Snowden, took the Russian money and now can't leave. As Corleone said: Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.

Why do people keep repeating this? He never wanted to stay in Russia! The USA trapped him there by cancelling his passport.

How do you know what he wants? All you could possibly know is what he has stated. The man lied to his employer and the government to do what he did. How can you know where his lies start and the where his lies end? Where is your objective proof?

I don't think so. Nothing of what has been revealed point to "police state".

Widespread surveillance of civilian infrastructure, passing information on crimes to agencies such as the DEA and security agencies lying to and overruling the governing body in decisions regarding the reach of their power.

I don't think so. Nothing of what has been revealed point to "police state".

Widespread surveillance of civilian infrastructure, passing information on crimes to agencies such as the DEA and security agencies lying to and overruling the governing body in decisions regarding the reach of their power.

Sounds a lot like a police state.

Nah, the surveillance is one thing. Police state would be acting on that surveillance, you know like actually jailing people for the flimsiest of pretextses. I don't see that happening neighborhoods across the US in the next 100 years.

Nah, the surveillance is one thing. Police state would be acting on that surveillance, you know like actually jailing people for the flimsiest of pretextses. I don't see that happening neighborhoods across the US in the next 100 years.

Poor Snowden, took the Russian money and now can't leave. As Corleone said: Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.

Why do people keep repeating this? He never wanted to stay in Russia! The USA trapped him there by cancelling his passport.

If we are to assume that Snowden is not in fact a complete idiot by unwittingly flying into Russia carrying stolen top secret data...well, we must call a spade a spade. Perhaps he should take a leaf from the RT reporter who denounced the Kremlin live on television and resigned the other day. It would give him some credibility. Of course, he will not do that, as he's under Putin's protection.

He's much safer in the hands of Putin than in the hands of Obama. Look at what happened to Manning and Swartz.